Director David F. Sandberg took to Twitter to answer a fan inquiry regarding the character in the movie ‘Shazam!’ that is widely referred to as “The Wizard.” It turns out that, like in the original comics, the Wizard will be named Shazam.
The wizard is named Shazam in the movie, I just think they’re trying to avoid confusion in news/articles.
— David F. Sandberg (@ponysmasher) January 24, 2018
The name Shazam is an acronym for Solomon, Hercules, Atlas, Zeus, Achilles and Mercury, the ancient gods and heroes who grant young Billy Batson the power to turn into an adult superhero. That character was originally named Captain Marvel, but for copyright reasons, has been changed to Shazam. Since the comics and other projects including a popular live-action Saturday morning TV show were always released under the name ‘Shazam’, a lot of the general public thought that was his name anyway. Billy turns into Shazam by shouting out that name. The Wizard Shazam started his existence as Jebediah of Canaan.
Ron Cephas Jones is reportedly in talks to play the Wizard.
David F. Sandberg is directing from a script by Henry Gayden and Darren Lemke. Asher Angel portrays Billy Batson while Zachary Levi depicts his adult alter ego. Cooper Andrews and Marta Milans will play Victor and Rosa Vasquez, who people who were orphaned as kids and grew up in the foster care system, leading to them, as adults, taking in a houseful of kids in similar situations. In addition to Billy, these kids include Mary Bromfield (Grace Fulton), Eugene Choi (Ian Chen), Darla Dudley (Faithe Herman), Freddy Freeman (Jack Dylan Grazer) and Pedro Peña (Jovan Armand). The cast also includes Mark Strong as villain Thaddeus Bodog Sivana, while David J. MacNeil appears as bully Mr. Bryer.
‘Shazam!’ is currently in production to be released on April 5, 2019.
